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The Department of Health and Welfare will close Welfare benefit program offices for five days over the next month to train staff and convert to a new computer system. The programs that will be closed include Food Stamps, Medicaid, cash assistance and child care assistance. These program office closures are scheduled for September 11, 18, 25; and October 1 and 2nd. All other Department programs and offices will remain open. For people who are receiving public assistance benefits, regularly scheduled benefit payments on October 1st will not be delayed or interrupted as a result of the closures.

For the past three years, the Department has been making improvements to the benefit programs’ eligibility determination systems and processes. These changes focus on improving business practices and technology to provide better customer service and benefit program accuracy. Benefit program staff will not be available in any DHW offices around the State on the specified dates, nor will they be answering phones. Staff will resume work and return calls each Monday following office closures.